GAME PREVIEW | Canadiens – Jets: Habs Must Run the Table

By
Sam Gerber
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GAME DAY | Montreal Canadiens – Winnipeg  Jets: Preview, TV,  Start Time, Statistical Match-up, Projected Lines, Starting Goalies, Keys to Victory, Habs Tickets

Game Preview by Sam Gerber
Last game : MTL 2  CBJ 6   The Canadiens had their chance to separate themselves in the playoff race and they failed. It was a real shame after such a strong start to the game where the Habs were up a goal after the first period. The Blue Jackets weren’t ready to start the game but that changed in the second period. They came out flying and tied the game up. Jeff Petry answered right back restoring the one goal lead but the Blue Jackets were skating and scored two straight goals giving them a one goal lead going into the third. Montreal was only down a goal and could have made the game interesting but they didn’t have enough jump to start the third and gave up two early goals burying them and their chances at a comeback.

For a complete game recap: Habs Lose Grip on Playoff Spot

Players to watch

  • Carey Price
    Price has been stellar since November and the primary reason why the Canadiens are in the playoff conversation at all. The Canadiens must do a much better job limiting odd man rushes that were rampant in the Columbus game.
  • Jordan Weal
    Weal has been bumped up to the third line and will center Jonathan Drouin and Joel Armia. Weal had a tough game against the Blue Jackets but generally has played well since joining Montreal. He has shown flashes of offense and is strong defensively. 
  • Brendan Gallagher
    With four games Gallagher has said publicly that the team still believes that they can make the playoffs. Gallagher knows what it takes. When on his game, he can be the first one to sacrifice the body to make a play.

Keys to Victory

  • Play their game
    Habs have to focus in playing their game. They excell at attacking in transition, catching teams out of position and not getting in a foot race.
  • Limit turnovers
    The Canadiens were giveaway machines against the Blue Jackets which will have to stop. The Jets are a strong team that have the puck and the Habs can’t afford to give it away.
  • Use speed
    The Habs may be missing their fastest player but they are still one of the fastest teams in the league. They have to use their speed from the start, and use it in the middle of the ice, entering the offensive zone with speed forcing the defense to back up giving the Habs space to make something happen.
Statistical Matchup by All Habs staff
Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, MB | March 30, 7:00 PM ET | TV: SNE, SNW, SN360, CITY, TVAS

2018-19 statistics
JETS CANADIENS
94 (9th) Points (rank) 90 (15th)
45-28-4 Record 41-29-8
25-11-4 Home/Away 18-17-4
5-5-0 Last 10 5-4-1
3.35 GF/G 2.99
2.95 GA/G 2.90
25.5 PP% 12.3
79.1 PK% 80.8
48.61  CF%  54.04
Pre-game quote
Carey Price

  • “We’ve overcome obstacles and odds all season long, so we’ve always been able to respond well. We have a lot of character in this room. We’ve always responded well to a challenge.”
Projected forward lines, defense pairings and goaltenders
Forwards
Ehlers – Scheifele – Wheeler
Connor – Hayes – Laine
Tanev – Lowry – Little
Hendricks – Copp – Perreault		 Tatar – Danault – Gallagher
Lehkonen – Domi – Shaw
Drouin – Weal – Armia
Deslauriers – Thompson – Peca
Defensemen
 Beaulieu – Trouba
Kulikov – Myers
Chiarot – Niku		 Mete – Weber
Kulak – Petry
   Benn – Folin
Out of the lineup
Scratched: 
Injured: Byfuglien, Morrow, Morrisey, Brossoit
 Scratched: Reilly, Hudon, Kotkaniemi, Weise, Lindgren, Byron (upper-body)
Injured: none
Goalies
Connor Hellebuyck Carey Price
Record: 32-22-2
GAA: – 2.93
Sv%: – .912
SO: 2
Alternate: Eric Comrie		 Record: 33-23-6
GAA: – 2.53
Sv%: – .917
SO: 4
Alternate: Antti Niemi
 What to Expect by Sam Gerber
The Canadiens do not control their own fate but they still need to get their part of the job done. The Jets have clinched a playoff spot but they still have plenty for which to play. They want home ice in the playoffs and need these points. After a disastrous effort in the game of the year the Habs have to answer back and finish the season strong. Claude Julien has decided to give Jesperi Kotkaniemi the night off after a rough game against the Blue Jackets. Jordan Weal is more experienced and stronger on the road while Kotkaniemi has only two points in his last eleven games. One move doesn’t change the Habs game plan, and if the Habs are ready from the start and compete to the very end they will have the response that they deserve. 
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